Issuu

The Capital’s Original City Magazine Since 1996

JANUARY 2026

No.

353

PLN 10 (VAT 8% INCLUDED) INDEKS 334901 ISSN:1643-1723

EAT & DRINK Cafe/Bistro:

Brain Farm – p. 23 Kiosk:

PRYM - bajgle i napoje – p. 26

Foodie News:

Bajs & Anawa – p. 28

Restaurant:

YOI Ramen – p. 30

Tasting:

Iki Izakaya – p. 32

Joseph Awuah-Darko for The Warsaw Insider:

Septem of Swords – p. 34

Restaurant:

KÖRRA – p. 36

Restaurant:

Rotisserie Bistro

– p. 38

Restaurant:

Antresolec – p. 40

INSIDER TEAM Publisher Morten Lindholm mlindholm@valkea.com Creative Director Kevin Demaria kdemaria@valkea.com Development Director Marta Wilk mwilk@valkea.com New Business Manager Anna Czarnowska aczarnowska@valkea.com

Distribution Manager Krzysztof Wiliński kwilinski@valkea.com Subscription

12 editions of the Insider zł. 99 (inc. VAT) in Poland. Orders can be placed through: insider@warsawinsider.pl

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Intel

Nature Over Icons

According to a recent readers’ poll by Gazeta Wyborcza, the most celebrated “phenomenon” of Warsaw isn’t a landmark or cultural institution, but its greenery. In the survey, readers overwhelmingly pointed to the city’s parks, trees and natural spaces as what they value most about living in the capital. The result highlights Warsaw’s unique balance between urban life and nature, and the growing appreciation for accessible green spaces in shaping the city’s identity. warsawinsider.pl

In the News HISTORY

Wartime Cache Found Renovation works in a pre-war tenement in Praga-Południe have uncovered a concealed World War II-era hiding place beneath the floorboards. Inside was a remarkable collection of documents linked to the Polish Underground State, including Home Army materials, wartime manuals, foreign-published newspapers, and personal items such as photographs, IDs, and a young woman’s occupation-era diary. Conservators and historians have confirmed the find’s exceptional value. The documents have been secured and are expected to be transferred to a museum for conservation, research, and eventual public presentation.

RESTORATION

Praga Restored

TOURISM

The landmark tenement at Targowa 62 is nearing the end of a major restoration, returning the building to its late-19th-century neo-Gothic character. Led by the housing association with substantial city funding, the project is among the most ambitious renovations in Praga-Północ in recent years. Based on archival photos and surviving ceramic fragments, the façade has been carefully reconstructed, with restored tiles, stucco, gables, and metal details. Historic balconies and arched windows have also been reinstated, reviving the building’s original architectural presence.

Warsaw continues to strengthen its appeal among visitors, according to the City of Warsaw’s 2025 Visitor Opinion Survey. Two-thirds of tourists now rate the capital as attractive, up from 58% last year, while cultural offerings scored an exceptional 97% approval. Visitors also praised gastronomy, shopping and public transport. Event attendance rose to 20%, driven largely by foreign guests, who are also spending more and opting for higher-end hotels—signalling Warsaw’s growing status as a dynamic European city break.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PRESS MATERIALS

Tourists Approve

CITY HISTORY

Central Turns 50 Warsaw’s Central Station Marks Half a Century as the Capital’s Transport Heart, Pop Culture Icon and Modernist Landmark, Celebrated in December with Exhibitions, Concerts, Archives, Coffee, Family Events and a Look Back at 1975, While Honoring Its Monument Status, Millions of Passengers, and Its Role Ahead of Poland’s Railway Anniversaries Leading into the Year of the Railways in 2026 and Reflecting on Architecture, Technology, Memory, Daily Travel, Urban Identity, and the Station’s Enduring Place in Warsaw’s Public Imagination Today Alike

TRANSPORTATION

West Reopened After years of reconstruction, Warszawa Zachodnia has officially reopened, marking a major milestone in Poland’s rail infrastructure. The upgraded station features a vast new underground concourse, step-free platforms, and a redesigned track system handling up to 60,000 passengers and 1,400 trains daily. Built while remaining fully operational, the project combines scale with sustainability, including solar power and new greenery. At a cost of PLN 2.7 billion, it positions Warsaw West as one of the region’s most advanced transport hubs.

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In the News

CITY

Emilia Reboot CITY

Tailoring To-Go Żabka is adding clothing alterations to its fast-growing menu of everyday services, teaming up with woshwosh to offer online tailoring nationwide. Customers can order repairs such as trouser shortening, zipper replacement, or curtain alterations online, then drop off and collect items at any of the chain’s 12,000-plus stores. The move builds on earlier shoe-care services and supports a less-waste approach by extending the life of clothes through simple, convenient repairs.

Developer Noho Investment has acquired the long-dormant plot at 51 Emilii Plater Street, formerly home to the Emilia furniture pavilion, ending years of uncertainty around one of Warsaw’s most prominent sites. The land, sold via a bailiff’s auction after passing through bankruptcy and debt recovery hands, had previously hosted unrealized office tower plans. Known for high-end mixeduse projects, Noho’s purchase signals a potential new residential and commercial chapter for this symbolic address in the city center.

SPORT

Poland has formally launched work on a potential bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2040 or 2044, with Warsaw positioned as the lead city. Sports Minister Jakub Rutnicki stressed the Games would crown a long-term national sports development plan rather than stand alone. Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski highlighted the symbolic weight of a 2044 Olympics, aligning with the 100th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. Regional cities are expected to co-host events, while officials emphasize infrastructure upgrades and a lasting social legacy of increased sporting participation.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PRESS MATERIAL (5)

Olympic Ambitions

What's in

for January International Cat Show

Witness a delightful showcase of pedigreed felines from around the globe, where enthusiasts and families alike can admire elegant breeds, learn from experts, and enjoy feline-centric activities throughout the weekend. Eventim Where: CRS Bielany When: 17–18 January

Wolf Spider: 40th Anniversary Concert Celebrate four decades of heavy music energy with a high-voltage show featuring hard-hitting riffs, raw intensity, and anthemic classics marking a milestone in the band’s storied career. Kulturalnie.waw.pl

Aquarium & Exotic Pet Fair A vivid exploration of aquatic life and exotic fauna, with abundant tanks, rare fish species, lush plant displays, expert talks, and specialist stalls perfect for hobbyists and curious visitors alike. Where: OSiR Praga When: 4 January (all day)

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PRESS MATERIAL

Where: Klub Progresja When: 17 January, 19:00

Dawid Tyszkowski & Special Guests

An intimate live music evening spotlighting heartfelt songwriting and expressive performances, with special guests joining the rising artist for a memorable concert of evocative melodies and lyrical storytelling. Where: Klub Stodoła When: 15 January, 19:00

Stian Westerhus & Maja S. K. Ratkje Setting electricity aside, two titans of Norwegian experimental music reveal a raw, acoustic side. Drawing on harmonium, violin, guitar, found metal, and Shakespearean texts, their collaboration is intimate, eerie, and profoundly moving—an unexpected highlight of contemporary avant-garde performance. Where: Pardon to tu When: 11 January, 20:30

Phantom of the Opera One of the most significant cultural events of 2026 is coming to Poland: The Phantom of the Opera arrives as the country’s first-ever arena staging of the legendary musical. Created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and celebrating 40 years since its world premiere, the production will be presented in its original English-language version on an epic scale. Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, this timeless story of obsession, love and music has captivated over 160 million viewers worldwide. Polish audiences can expect a spectacular visual world, iconic songs, and a world-class cast and orchestra. When & Where:: 12–16 June 2026 – PreZero Arena, Gliwice 23–28 June 2026 – Ergo Arena, Gdańsk–Sopot

warsawinsider.pl

ice skating

inter in Warsaw has its own tempo. Days shorten, breath turns visible, and suddenly parks, neighbourhood sports centres and city squares glow under floodlights reflected in freshly frozen ice. Ice skating season is in full swing, and whether you’re chasing childhood nostalgia, planning a weekend with the kids or just looking for a reason to get moving outdoors, the city’s rinks are calling. Running through the heart of winter and into early spring, Warsaw’s ice rinks are spread across almost every district, making skating one of the most accessible cold-weather activities in town. Add to that affordable prices, generous discounts for Varsovian Card holders, and plenty of beginner-friendly facilities, and it’s clear: this is the moment to lace up.

Lace Up, Warsaw

Your Guide to Ice Skating This Winter 10

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

Ice skating is one of those rare winter pleasures that suits almost everyone. You can drop in solo, turn it into an easy date idea, or make a full family afternoon of it. Beginners are actively welcomed — many rinks offer penguin skating aids, helmets and wide-open sessions designed for learning — while more confident skaters can treat it as fitness, flow or pure fun. Equipment rental is generally budget-friendly, with skates typically costing 10–15 PLN per hour, and several rinks offering free entry or free rental under certain conditions.

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WHY ICE SKATING STILL WORKS

CENTRAL WARSAW: SKATING WITH A VIEW

Some of the city’s most atmospheric rinks are right in the centre, pairing skating with unmistakably Warsaw scenery

Palace of Culture

One of the best-value rinks in the city — and one of the most popular. Entry and skate rental are free, with a refundable deposit, making this an easy yes for spontaneous plans or post-work skating. Free entry | Free skate rental (deposit required)

Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta)

Few winter experiences are more cinematic than skating beneath the historic façades of the Old Town. Sessions are timed throughout the day, making it easy to plan a visit. Ticket: 10 PLN | Skate rental: 10 PLN | Penguins and helmets available

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ice skating

NEIGHBOURHOOD FAVOURITES Away from the centre, local rinks bring a more relaxed, community-driven atmosphere — ideal for regular visits. Bródnowski Park (Targówek) A winter classic with a friendly vibe and generous hours. Entry is free, with affordable rentals and clearly defined skating sessions. Free entry | Skate rental: 10 PLN

Mokotów – Inspektowa 1

FOR BEGINNERS If balance isn’t your strong suit (yet), you’re in good company. Across the city, rinks offer: •P enguin skating aids (usually 10–15 PLN) • Helmets (around 5 PLN) • Free or discounted entry for children, teenagers and Varsovian Card holders •T he atmosphere is welcoming, patient and refreshingly judgment-free — wobbling is part of the experience

BEFORE YOU GO • Many rinks operate in timed sessions •O pening hours can vary due to weather conditions • Some locations remain closed this season • Select rinks operate for a shorter winter window • I t’s always worth checking local schedules before heading out

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

Żoliborz – Potocka 1

A neighbourhood rink with long opening hours and a loyal local crowd — perfect for evening skating. Tickets from 8 PLN | Skate rental: 10 PLN

Wawer – V Poprzeczna 22

One of the more affordable options, especially for groups and Varsovian Card holders. Tickets from 5 PLN | Skate rental: 10 PLN

Wesoła – Armii Krajowej 72

A rare winter gem: free entry and free skate rental, including skating aids, with only a small refundable deposit required. Free entry | Free skate and walker rental (deposit required)

THIS PAGE BY KEVIN DEMARIA, OPPOSITE PRESS MATERIAL

Bródnowski Park (Targówek)

Well-organised and family-oriented, with clearly scheduled sessions, cloakroom access and a full set of beginner extras. Tickets from 14 PLN | Skate rental: 10 PLN | Penguins, helmets and cloakroom available

Steam on the River Sauna Wisła Returns for Winter

auna Wisła continues to broaden the idea of who sauna culture is for. Beyond classic sessions, its expanding programme now includes family saunas that gently introduce children to the ritual, midday “cheap sauna” slots suited to flexible work schedules, and discounts for seniors. Regular competitions and Wisła District events often offer free entries, while seasoned enthusiasts can book an exclusive 24-hour sauna experience for organised groups. But Sauna Wisła is also part of something bigger: the Wisła District’s ambition to keep the river alive through winter. The cold season here is

anything but dormant. Alongside heat, steam and icy plunges, the programme features breathing, herbal and aromatherapy workshops, yoga and Pilates classes, basketry and craft sessions, acoustic concerts, educational nature walks and even trips on traditional Vistula boats. One of the most unexpected highlights is sauna and SUP training, developed with the SUP Academy at Przystań Warszawa — proof that river sports don’t stop when temperatures fall. Moored beside the sauna, the historic Panama Ship adds a quieter counterpoint as Warsaw’s first floating Vistula Library. Visitors are invited to read, borrow, exchange or leave books behind, creating a slow, analog rhythm: sauna, literature, steam again. The project’s symbol is the kingfisher — a year-round river resident and official ambassador of Sauna Wisła — embodying resilience, sharpness and coexistence with nature. More than a wellness spot, Sauna Wisła is an exercise in urban imagination: showing that winter in Warsaw can be communal, active and deeply sensory, with the river as a living space rather than a backdrop. Reservations: saunawarszawa.pl Insider Tip: Book in advance

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BRUTALISM As London’s famed Barbican Centre prepares for an extensive £240 m overhaul, Warsaw’s best Brutalist buildings — and a few intriguing modernist cousins — offer compelling reasons to explore concrete aesthetics that shaped post-war Europe

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

in the Spotlight

“Młotek” – The Hammer Tower (left) Smolna 8 | Powiśle

Anchored dramatically into the Vistula escarpment, the Hammer Tower is one of Warsaw’s most recognisable silhouettes. Completed in the mid-1970s, its overhanging crown earned it the nickname Młotek — “the hammer”. Originally planned as a hotel, it became an elite residential building, combining Brutalist massing with a rare sense of prestige. Best viewed from below the escarpment, where its concrete form feels almost geological.

Dom Książki Uniwersus (below) Belwederska 20/22 | Mokotów

Perhaps Warsaw’s clearest example of textbook Brutalism, Uniwersus is a bold, cantilevered concrete structure that once housed one of Poland’s largest bookshops. Designed in the late 1970s, its exposed materials, deep horizontal lines and monumental overhang make it a favourite among architects and photographers alike. Recently added to the city’s heritage register, it’s a reminder that Brutalism, when well cared for, ages with remarkable confidence.

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hen news broke that London’s iconic Barbican Centre is set to undergo a £240 million renovation, it felt like another signal that Brutalism’s moment of reappraisal is far from over. Long dismissed as cold or oppressive, these raw concrete giants are increasingly being recognised as cultural landmarks worth protecting, polishing — and proudly showing off. That announcement prompted us to turn our gaze closer to home. Warsaw may not have a mega-complex on the scale of the Barbican, but it does have a handful of true Brutalist masterpieces that capture the same post-war ambition, structural honesty and sculptural confidence. For architecture lovers — and Instagrammers chasing hard shadows and heroic angles — these buildings are essential stops. Alongside them, a few modernist cousins, while not strictly Brutalist, stand out enough to warrant a detour and a photo.

WARSAW’S BRUTALIST ICONS

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Za Żelazną Bramą Estate Less photogenic at first glance but crucial to understanding Warsaw’s Brutalist story, this vast housing estate embodies the scale and ambition of post-war urban planning. Rows of prefabricated concrete towers define the skyline west of the Saxon Garden, forming a dense, repetitive landscape that feels both imposing and strangely rhythmic. It’s Brutalism as lived reality — not a single icon, but an entire concrete ecosystem.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

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architecture

Also Worth Mentioning: BRUTALISM’S MODERNIST COUSINS Karowa 18a

Kozia 9

Tucked into the historic slope above Powiśle, Karowa 18a is often described as a blok-rzeźba — a sculptural residential block. While technically modernist rather than Brutalist, its stepped balconies and expressive geometry make it one of Warsaw’s most striking post-war infill projects, and a favourite for architectural close-ups.

Just steps from the Old Town, Kozia 9 feels like a modernist anomaly in a historic setting. Built in the 1970s as an upscale residential block, it lacks Brutalism’s raw concrete but compensates with sharp lines, strong proportions and quiet confidence — ideal for those chasing understated, design-forward Instagram shots.

warsawinsider.pl

CITY VIBES

Goshika’s personal exploration of Warsaw through slow observation and intimate urban moments. warsawinsider.pl

photography

Scan to follow Goshika on Instagram

Warsaw is a city I return to again and again. I have lived here for over twenty years, yet it is only through photography that I have truly begun to understand it. Whenever I find a moment of freedom, I put my camera in a backpack and walk — slowly, attentively, without a fixed destination. I believe that no city is ever exhausted by images. Even a place as photographed as Warsaw still holds countless untold stories. Every photographer brings their own sensitivity, rhythm, and way of seeing. My work grows from solitude and concentration — from quiet walks that help me slow down and regain balance after demanding days. Warsaw reveals itself in fragments: in overlooked corners, in in-between spaces, in fleeting encounters that exist only for a moment. These are the places I seek. They become visible once you step outside and allow yourself to wander. Photography, for me, is both exploration and grounding — a way of moving through the city while remaining deeply present within it. I am drawn to Warsaw as a place where history and modern life exist side by side, open and generous to those willing to look closely.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAWID WYSOCKI

Artist Statement

Taste the Exotic Le Cedre 84

Al. Solidarności 84 22 618 8999

Le Cedre 61

Al. Solidarności 61 22 670 1166

Experience the Magic of the Middle East Belly Dance Show – Live Performance! Fridays at 19:00 – Le Cedre 84 Saturdays at 19:00 – Le Cedre 61 lecedre.pl | FB.com/lecedrepl | IG.com/lecedreinwarsaw

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Newly Opened

BRAIN FARM A biohacking café on Solec

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Review

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This is a place to recharge your mind, not just your phone

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

rain Farm is one of those places you don’t quite know how to describe until you’ve been there twice. A café-bistro hybrid, yes—but also a soft landing after a workout, a place to recalibrate your nervous system, a lab where mushrooms are treated not as garnish but as philosophy. The kind of spot where you come for coffee and leave thinking about oxygen uptake. Start with the caffeine rituals. Coffee comes courtesy of Hard Beans, brewed with seriousness but without sermonizing. Matcha—guided, explained, respected—is supplied by the specialists at Happa to Mame. This is a place that understands sourcing not as a buzzword but as a quiet moral code. The devil, as ever, is in the details, and Brain Farm has clearly made a pact with him. By day, the menu reads like a café that went to therapy and came back stronger. Tender brioche sandwiches arrive layered with roast beef, mayonnaise, horseradish, and tremella mushroom—yes, that mushroom— bringing texture and a faintly marine whisper that keeps things interesting. This is food designed to keep you awake, alert, and just curious enough to order something else. But Brain Farm’s real obsession is biohacking—specifically, fungi as functional fuel. Lion’s mane for clarity. Cordyceps for energy. Concentrated drops, powders, gummies, and—crucially—actual cooking. Cordyceps, of course, has mythology on its side: the early ’90s Chi-

Brain Farm ul. Solec 46, (Powiśle)

nese women’s Olympic running team famously credited their record-breaking performances to a cordyceps elixir. Pair that lore with Poland’s deep-rooted mushroom-foraging culture, and suddenly Brain Farm’s concept feels less like a trend and more like a cultural remix. This is a place to recharge your mind, not just your phone. The interior plays its part beautifully. Inspired by nature but filtered through urban restraint, the space blends greens and pinks, sculptural lamps, and a feathered wall that somehow feels both futuristic and faintly animal. There are mushroom references everywhere—in lamp silhouettes, in brain-shaped cookies, in textures so soft you half-expect them to purr. (They don’t. These are not those kinds of mushrooms.) Branding here is sharp but never loud. Co-owner Marek, with a background in advertising and fitness, understands lifestyle ecosystems. Hence the collaboration with muuv.pl on covetable hoodies made from exceptional materials, or the vouchers for Integral Fitness Studio bundled with take-away matcha protein. It’s all very considered, very 2025, and refreshingly sincere. Before you leave, grab the mushroom gummies—cordyceps-powered, subtly energizing, and designed to put a little spring in your step without the chemical whiplash. You may come to Brain Farm for coffee. You’ll come back because your brain remembers how good it felt to be there.

AT A GLANCE Coffee: Hard Beans Roaster Matcha: Happa to Mame Focus: Functional mushrooms & biohacking cuisine

Don’t miss: Brioche sand-

wich with tremella, cordyceps gummies Must try: low sugar miso sernik Extras: muuv.pl hoodies, Integral Fitness vouchers

warsawinsider.pl

KIOSK REVIVAL

A retro kiosk, reimagined through bagels

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

ities are full of small architectural relics—kiosks that once sold flowers, newspapers, cigarettes, or lottery dreams. They’re the urban equivalent of repurposed telephone booths: compact, nostalgic, oddly intimate. Prym fits neatly into this lineage, a modest Warsaw kiosk that has quietly found new life serving bagels and coffee to

people who know where they’re going, or are happy to be briefly distracted. Prym doesn’t try to turn the kiosk into something it isn’t. There’s no forced coziness, no overdesigned narrative. Just bagel sandwiches assembled with care and coffee dispensed from high-end, Swiss-engineered super-automatic espresso machines—the kind built to deliver barista-quality cups with

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

PRYM - bajgle i napoje plac Politechniki 01, (City Center)

AT A GLANCE Vibe: Retro city kiosk with New York energy

Don’t miss:

Bacon, egg & cheese on a fresh everything bagel

Go back for:

Seasonal specials and playful bagel experiments

Stop in daily for:

Consistently excellent coffee from Swiss super-automatic machines

“

This is a proper bacon, egg, and cheese...

monk-like consistency, even when the line grows impatient. It’s a pragmatic choice, and a smart one: the coffee is reliable, properly extracted, and never an afterthought. Then there’s the food. The bacon, egg, and cheese arrives with a confidence that feels imported rather than imitated. Eggs stay soft, bacon leans salty, cheese does its molten binding work, and the

bagel itself has the chew and resilience required for the job. It’s a sandwich worthy of a Brooklyn bodega, eaten standing up, preferably while late for something. I took a bag of bagels home for my family, which is how you discover whether nostalgia is real or manufactured. When my daughter opened the bag, she stopped and said, simply, “It smells like New York.” No quali-

fiers. No irony. Just recognition. The final ingredient is human. The woman behind the counter practically radiates affection for the place, gushing about new ideas and experiments. She tells me about an ornate, chocolate-covered bagel she’s developing for Carnival—decorative, indulgent, slightly unhinged in the best way. I make a mental note to return, not out of obligation, but curiosity. warsawinsider.pl

Foodie News BAJS Opened in November 2025 in the

historic food hall on Koszykowa Street, BAJS introduces a contemporary take on Polish comfort cuisine rooted in tradition and craft. The concept, driven by the ethos “Od pokoleń. Od nowa.” (From generations. Anew), melds classic flavours from grandmother’s kitchen with modern presentation and seasonal thinking. The menu spans slow-simmered broths, hand-made kluski, and regional interpretations alongside signature dishes such as pierogi with crayfish and pike-perch in a dill sauce. With lunch, weekend breakfasts and evening dining framed by Polish wines and spirits, BAJS aims to reaffirm the relevance of national cuisine in a dynamic urban setting.

Anawa Anawa is the InterContinental Warsaw’s signature restaurant concept, inaugurated in late 2025 as a reimagining of the hotel’s main dining space. Positioned on the first floor of the city’s landmark five-star address, it champions a modern, convivial approach to refined dining where shared tables and thoughtful pacing shape the experience. With an open kitchen and an emphasis on narrative through food, Anawa’s culinary direction draws on generational wisdom and seasonal sourcing, presenting dishes that bridge tradition and contemporary technique. The restaurant’s design and service reflect the hotel’s cosmopolitan energy, offering guests both local Warsaw rhythms and an elevated, ritualised ritual of shared meals. Emilii Plater 49, InterContinental Warsaw by IHG

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

ul. Koszykowa 63, (City Center), bajs.com.pl

Cholewiński is a family-owned brand that has been creating unique leather goods since 1982. The brand celebrates its 43rd birthday in 2025, while welcoming the autumn-winter 2025/2026 season with a new collection. The brand offers unique, handmade handbags, made of genuine leather & accessories such as wallets, suitcases and belts.

Welcome to the world of CHOLEWINSKI. Discover true craftsmanship.

LEATHER GOODS GENUINE LEATHER HANDCRAFTED IN POLAND

www.cholewinski.com

BROTH MOOD

Creamy ramen, slow and soothing

t YOI Ramen, located on Dobra Street, just along the edge of Elektrownia Powiśle, ramen isn’t just another bowl on the food-hall circuit — it’s a meditation on texture and calm. Step in from the constant motion of this stretch of Powiśle, shaped by the former power plant’s transformation into a lifestyle hub

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

of dining, retail, and river-bound foot traffic, and you’ll feel it: an unassuming yet purposeful vibe that whispers, rather than shouts, its intentions. Here, the defining bowl is the tantanmen — a study in restraint disguised as indulgence. The broth leans creamy not through dairy heft, but via sesame paste and emulsified stock, creating a gentle viscosity that coats the palate without weighing it down.

Chili oil arrives as a murmur rather than a shout, its warmth unfolding slowly, almost politely, while minced meat and noodles anchor the bowl in savory depth. It’s a ramen that trusts the eater to notice nuance: the way heat lingers just behind the tongue, the way richness fades cleanly rather than clings. It’s not merely hearty — it’s reflective: the kind of broth that prompts a slow inhale and a momentary pause before the first slurp. Another signature bowl, the Tori Paitan, leans into plushness with a poultry-forward creaminess that blurs the line between soup and embrace. The elegance of Yoi’s ramen isn’t ostentatious, but rooted in restraint — in the way spinach, inari tofu, and herb-kissed oil hover at the edge of richness without overwhelming it.

YOI Ramen ul. Dobra 40, (Powiśle), ramenyoi.pl

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

harmony of taste carries the soul...

ul. Nowogrodzka 18A, City Center Tel. 519 020 888, soulkitchen.pl

QUIET PRECISION Where calm meets craft

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

n this stretch of Nowogrodzka, the city seems to thin out after dark. Traffic fades, doors close, and the street takes on an almost desolate character — long defined by a single landmark: the monumental Art Deco eagle, cast in metal, perched atop the former Telecommunications Office building. For years, it has been the only detail here that demanded attention. Since October, that has quietly changed with the opening of Iki Izakaya, adding a new point of gravity to an otherwise overlooked fragment of the city. A short flight of steps leads below street level, creating an immediate sense of separation

Iki Izakaya ul. Nowogrodzka 44, (City Center)

from the world above. Inside, the space is dark but refined, more sleek cellar than subterranean hideout. The atmosphere is calm and contained, shaped as much by the lighting and materials as by a team that is genuinely attentive, present without being intrusive. It’s a room that invites you to slow down. The kitchen mirrors that attitude. There is a clear respect for ingredients and a disciplined approach to flavour, with combinations chosen carefully rather than piled on for effect. The tuna tataki arrives precisely seared, its clean, meaty texture sharpened by ponzu and softened by a smooth cauliflower purée, while black dashi adds depth without tipping the balance. It’s confident, quietly expressive cooking. Raw dishes are handled with particular finesse. The salmon tartare — folded with avocado, accented by yuzu caviar and rounded out with black garlic — is elegant and well judged. The tuna and salmon tartare sushi roll follows the same logic: familiar, but executed with freshness and care that elevate it beyond the expected. Cocktails keep things equally measured. The Zero Rum Sour avoids excess, delivering brightness and balance that sit comfortably alongside the food. Iki Izakaya suits evenings that favour conversation over commotion. The cozy interior works equally well for meeting friends or a relaxed date, and the peaceful atmosphere feels almost at odds with its central location. There are no unnecessary flourishes here — just a steady focus on quality, consistency, and letting good ingredients speak for themselves. warsawinsider.pl

ABOVE THE NOISE

A secret spot, finally revealed

BY JOSEPH AWUAH-DARKO FOR THE WARSAW INSIDER

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

y chance, I end up talking with Gleb Kovalev, a Belarusian with an easy swagger and the calm confidence of someone who doesn’t feel the need to explain himself. He turns out to be the owner of Septem of Swords, one of Warsaw’s most quietly uncompromising bars — a place that seems almost allergic to publicity.

Warsaw understands places like this. Cities that have learned to survive learn, too, how to hide. Septem of Swords announces nothing from the street. No sign. No promise. You’re led upstairs into an unmarked space tucked beneath the arches of a bridge, an extension of Karma Bar that feels less like a new venue than a whispered agreement between people who know where to look. You expect noise — bass, chatter, spectacle — and instead you get restraint. Low light. Abstract photography and paintings that glow rather than shout. Brutalist alcoves softened by velvet seating. The steady percussion of cocktail shakers plays against the distant rattle of trams passing overhead. It’s a bar that listens more than it speaks. This used to be a gallery, and the place still feels curated in that way — not designed to impress, but to make sense. Gleb’s story lingers quietly in the room. Minsk, displacement, defiance — none of it spelled out, all of it present. Septem of Swords feels like a home assembled by someone who understands what it means to need one.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

Septem of Swords Al. 3 Maja 15 (Above Karma Crew Bar)

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The outside city feels buffered, distant, almost theoretical.. The cocktails are where that philosophy really shows. Take the coconut Negroni. On paper, it sounds like a provocation. In the glass, it’s something else entirely: Campari’s familiar bitterness rounded gently by a creamy, tropical note that never tips into novelty. It bends the rules, but only just — the way good ideas often do. Another drink arrives in a silver chalice, plum-hued and shifting as you taste it. Sharp at first, then unexpectedly sweet, then elusive again. It’s not a cocktail that asks to be photographed. It asks you to slow down.

Up here, time behaves differently. Conversations stay close to the table. The outside city feels buffered, distant, almost theoretical. This isn’t about exclusivity so much as protection — a place that offers shelter from the constant performance of being out in the world. As an extension of Karma Bar, Septem of Swords doesn’t compete with its predecessor. It deepens it. Where Karma is social and lively, this upstairs space is introspective, almost meditative — a room for people who’ve already done the shouting. Warsaw is full of places like this, if you know how to look: layered, discreet, resistant to easy summary. Septem of Swords fits neatly into that tradition. It doesn’t try to define the city. It simply reflects it — quietly, confidently, and on its own terms.

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Review

ANIME APPETITE

Asian instincts, natural wine, Warsaw fluency 36

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

Korra ul. Poznańska 14, (City Center)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

newcomer to Poznańska, Korra arrives with the confidence of a place that already knows its audience. The interior feels closer to an art installation than a restaurant: an exposed truss system overhead, sharp industrial lines, and flashes of anime artwork that punctuate the room like panels from a graphic novel. Add a waiter in a beanie and graphic T-shirt, and the whole scene lands somewhere in Japanese hip-hop modern—Tokyo street culture filtered through Warsaw cool. The menu follows suit: Asian in influence, but speaking fluently to local instincts. Gyoza make immediate sense here; they’re not far from pierogi at all—folded dough, filling, comfort, ritual— just tuned to a different frequency. Pickled vegetables play the role of surowka, doing what they’ve always done on Polish tables: cutting, refreshing, resetting the palate. The beef tartare, served with a cloud-like steamed bun, is a quiet triumph—softness and raw intensity meeting in a format that feels instantly right. Natural wine is central to the experience. Pair almost anything with the Amphiboliy Brut Nature from Nibiru: razor-dry, crackling with green apple skin, chalk, and a saline edge that slices through fat and spice alike. But the must-order is the shrimp tom yum. Coconut milk, heat, depth—so aromatic and delicious it practically insists you slurp. Polite restraint has no place here.

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WILANÓW ROASTS

Mięsny’s confident new bistro finds its footing

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

ilanów has never lacked appetite, only destinations. Rotisserie Bistro, on Rzeczypospolitej Avenue, feels like the moment when the neighborhood’s dining scene decided to grow into itself. This is Mięsny’s new venture—by now an insider favorite and multiple Best of Warsaw recipient—and it arrives with the calm confidence of people who know exactly what kind of pleasure they’re in the business of delivering. The room itself has history, and not all of it easy. Previous owners tried on different hats here, none of them quite fitting. Rotisserie Bistro slips into the space like a tailored jacket: relaxed, flattering, and instantly convincing. It already feels less like a new opening than a place that’s always been waiting to exist—and one that will soon become a destination for Wilanów food obsessives. The menu—European in accent, carnivorous at heart— unfolds confidently under the guidance of chef Mateusz Wichrowski (ex-Brasserie Warszawska, Magari). The zeppoli-like balls stuffed with duck are, without exaggeration, among the best things I’ve put in my mouth all year: crisp, yielding, deeply savory, and gone far too quickly. Beef tartare arrives properly seasoned, with perfect fries that demand respect and insist on being ordered every time. Across the table, a friend all but swooned over the fried calamari—light, clean, and gone before conversation could resume. Carpaccio with truffle

Rotisserie Bistro Shopping Center Alto, Aleja Rzeczypospolitej 14, (Wilanów)

lands somewhere between indulgence and devotion: simple, aromatic, and quietly divine. Dessert is where Wichrowski’s quieter résumé reveals itself. His deconstructed–reconstructed szarlotka—precise, restrained, and deeply Polish in spirit—carries the confidence of someone who once worked as a pastry chef at Alain Ducasse. It’s thoughtful rather than flashy, an ending that val-

ues balance over bravado. And then there’s the surprise encore: a Mięsny deli corner offering takeaway meats and already cooked chicken. It’s a saving grace, really, for keeping the good life going at home when you’re not quite ready to let the evening end. Rotisserie Bistro doesn’t shout. It seduces. And Wilanów, finally, has a restaurant worth dressing up—or down—for. warsawinsider.pl

COMFORT, LIFTED Flatbreads, burgers, and Powiśle vibe

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

ntresolec arrived quietly on Solec, but it didn’t take long for word to spread. In a neighborhood already thick with good eating, this small, confident spot has found its footing with surprising ease. Opened just a few months ago, it has already become a local favorite in Powiśle, on a street that feels increasingly defined by gastronomic gems rather than traffic.

The name itself is the first clue to its character: a play on antresola and Solec, realized in a mezzanine that looms gently overhead, taking full advantage of the space’s soaring ceilings and creating a sense of elevation without distance, intimacy without enclosure. The room feels layered rather than large—welcoming whether you’re perched above or settled in below. Antresolec hums from early evening. Locals stop in for a cocktail after work, others make deliberate plans to eat with friends, and many end up doing both. There’s an easy flow between tables, bar, and kitchen, a sense that the place was designed not just to serve food, but to host people. At the heart of it all is Vlad, the chef and co-owner, whose presence in the kitchen extends naturally into the dining room. During my visit, I found myself chatting with him about his early years as a young chef and his long tenure at Mak i Woda, where he spent many formative years refining his craft. That experience shows in the confidence of the cooking. Vlad also speaks openly about how Paweł Fibiś helped iron out the inevitable kinks of opening Antresolec, lending experience and perspective during those critical early months. The menu is anchored by flatbreads, which function as both staple and signature—comfort food, yes, but executed with care and restraint. A standout pairs rich duck confit with fermented carrots, their gentle acidity cutting through the depth of the meat. The flatbread itself is blistered and supple, holding everything together

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

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Antresolec ul. Solec 97 (Powiśle), tel. 503 324 477

One of those places locals immediately claim as their own

without demanding attention. Then there’s the double smash cheeseburger, already a serious contender for one of the best in Warsaw. Crisp-edged patties, molten cheese, and proper balance make it deeply satisfying, while the fries—golden, perfectly seasoned, and resolutely crunchy—may well be the best in the city right now. Cocktails follow the same thoughtful approach. One highlight is made with the house-produced, non-alcohol-

ic Magnolia & Tonic, infused with magnolia and Valencian orange. Floral, fresh, and quietly complex, it’s the kind of drink that encourages lingering rather than rushing. More than any single dish, what defines Antresolec is its sense of comfort and camaraderie. Flatbreads are its language, but hospitality is its anthem. On a street that continues to evolve, Antresolec feels less like a newcomer and more like a place that has always belonged.

AT A GLANCE What: Flatbreads, smash burgers, cocktails Don’t Miss: Duck confit flatbread; double smash cheeseburger Drink This: Magnolia & Tonic (non-alcoholic) Vibe: Casual, communal, quietly confident

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The

Buzz Presenting the city’s most talked about venues, join us on a whistle stop tour of the cafes, pubs and cocktail dens and wine bars that you can’t afford to miss…

WINE & DINE

Kontakt Sandomierska 13

Weaknesses do not exist in Kontakt, and if they do, they have yet to be formally identified by any who visit. Looking glorious in its deep shades of blue, its look is complemented by a 400-strong wine list slanted towards natural, bio-dynamic and organic wines. The five-star experience is aided by wonderful food. LOCAL WINES

Brać Zgoda 3 & Sierakowskiego 4A

LOCAL FAVORITE

Resistant as traditionalists may be to the very notion of Polish wine, Brać have made it their mission to showcase its unknown quality. Presenting on-edge sips from niche domestic producers (including collabs with the Funky Fluid craft brewery!), all this is done in a stylish space that feels good to be in. From 2023, this was our favourite wine-related find! NATURAL WINE Rascal Moliera 6

Seagull

Formerly a canteen for ballet dancers, this address now holds the largest bar in Europe specialising in natural wines – you weren’t expecting that! Entered past a lavish drape, this cool space has a suitably adventurous choice of rebel wines.

ul. Dobra 1, (Powiśle)

BEER GEEKS

Opening early in Powiśle, Seagull is a calm, light-filled address devoted to mornings done well. This is a place of renewal rather than recovery, where the day begins with intention. The menu carries a subtle Asian accent — eggs Benedict with yuzu hollandaise and shrimp, harissa-spiked chickpea toast, bright matcha and thoughtful non-alcoholic drinks alongside mimosas. It’s a neighbourhood spot for plans, conversation and clarity, where morning isn’t rushed through, but properly lived.

Good old Jabbers will never let you down. A Warsaw institution, the adventurous choice of beers gives nods to international pioneers, domestic talents as well

Jabeerwocky Nowogrodzka 12

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The Buzz as their own house beers. Pre-war floors and the welcome smell of spillage give it a great atmosphere that becomes a boisterous babble of international voices the later it gets. For something quieter, take your pint next door to their sister bar, Jabeerwocky Junior. CUTTING EDGE CRAFT Hopito Chmielna Chmielna 24

Opened last year as the younger sister of Hopito’s Żurawia venture, this branch feels a little more mature in its target audience, though every bit as fun in its beer selection - radicalized drinkers will love Hopito’s own crazy brews. OLD TOWN PINTS Same Krafty vis-à-vis Nowomiejska 11/13

Jammed between the Barbican gateway and the Rynek, Same Krafty’s pair of Old Town drinkeries face opposite each other to offer their own mini-pub crawl. Appearing as raucous and rugged tavern-like bars, the experimental craft beers are a league ahead of the mainstream fizz peddled by the other nearby bars. CREATIVE COCKTAILS Ave Pegaz Piłsudskiego 9

Inside a lively interior that doesn’t take itself too seriously (check the ‘ceiling garden’), swivel about to gawk at a mighty collection of corkscrews and drinking implements. In this alchemist’s workshop find yourself enjoying some of the most creative cocktails in Warsaw. COCKTAIL PORN VHS

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

Poznańska 7

The shoebox sized VHS pays tribute to the 80s and 90s and is a model for good times – boasting a flamingo and pictures of Mr T., the toilet says it all. The drinks are among the wackiest in Warsaw, and they’re as fun to drink as they are to photograph. THE ATMOSPHERE Beirut & Kraken Poznańska 12

Somewhere, amid all the junk relating to the Lebanese conflict (sandbags, ammo boxes…), you’ll find the spirit of Poznańska contained within this long, skinny bar. As fashionable now as it was when it opened, finish the evening in their connecting venture, the Pirates of the Caribbean-style Kraken. Evenings dissolve into a wild, happy whirl of international voices. INSIDER CLASSIC Pardon, To Tu Al. Armii Ludowej 14

Despite the upgrade in surrounds, they’ve retained the leftfield spirit of their old haunt thanks to flexi hours, a commitment to obscure sounds, and a well-spaced interior that references their former venue through its decadent colour scheme and wall of favoured musicians. The air of friendly, unforced cool is unmatched! FOR THE MUSIC Młodsza Siostra Dobra 14/16

Known for his ear for upcoming talent, the owner Michał isn’t averse to taking risks in order to broaden Warsaw’s musical palate. The scrappy backdrop of

bike repair garages give a vibe redolent of the shadowy courtyards of Berlin and Budapest, whilst inside it’s all creaking floorboards, mismatched furnishings and a clientele sourced from the local Academy of Fine Arts. REBEL SOUNDS

Chmury / Hydrozagadka 11 Listopada 22

Set in a fleapit courtyard, it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends, but both are spiritually cojoined by a devotion to eclectic live music. Tight and crowded, it’s a place where audience and band become one, feeding off each other to generate an electrifying atmosphere. A BIT OF EVERYTHING Foton Wilcza 9A

You know it’s been an epic weekend when you wake up on Monday knowing that Foton was involved. Conversation with strangers is natural after a few of Foton’s cocktails, and these are enjoyed to a cool backdrop made up of fleet of tumbling plants perched on steel-framed irrigational contraptions. PRE-CLUB DRINKS Bar Pacyfik Hoża 61

Based upon the kind of Tijuana dive bar you’d have happened upon during the Miami Vice era, Pacyfik is all candy floss pink and shades of teal: a raw-looking den that looks purposefully imperfect. Keeping the hip international crowd on the wrong side of drunk are kick-ass cocktails! LATE NIGHTER

Republica de San Escobar Poznańska 7

Lacking airs and graces, it’s a place where fun rules the roost. Tiny in size, find an interior filled with corrugated iron sheets, zappy neons, chunky woods and bike pedals on the footrests. The fun-loving spirits is irresistible, and the tight dimensions mean the party often spills onto the terrace outside. STUDENT CARNAGE

shoot of the atmospheric Shamrock Irish Pub on Zgoda. Though a lot smarter than its sister, the raucous sense of fun has carried over – as has the quality Guinness. ESSENTIAL CHECK-IN

Fabryka Norblina Żelazna 51/53

Without fail, the big winner of 2023 was Norblin – hell, we

even saw Kieran Culkin walking through over summer! In terms of nightlife, winners include the elite MOXO and the craft-minded Uwaga. Packed in the evening, the atmosphere is squared out perfectly by the live music that frequently escapes from the Piano Bar. The Insider fave though remains Piano Bar, a place with fancy cock-

Nowy Świat ‘Pavilions’ Nowy Świat 26

For the highest condensation of bars in the capital head to ‘the pavilions’, a collection of ramshackle drinking cabins, shot bars and sheesha lairs inside a tight grid of shadowy back alleys. Adding to the gentle sense of confusion comes the realization that so many bars look the same – accessed through clattery, barred doors, visitors walk into murk and chaos. ALT. ENTERTAINMENT Worek Kości Bagatela 10

There is nothing ordinary about Worek Kości and that’s underlined by its collection of 400 replica skulls. Known for its burlesque nights, this passionate celebration of the beautiful and bizarre also has a busy roster of lectures dedicated to criminal profiling, forensics and serial killers. Oh, and the cocktails are good. LIVE SPORTS

Shamrock Sports Bar Krucza 51

At long last, Warsaw has the sports bar it deserves. Zapping in football, rugby and suchlike from around the world (but mainly Britain), this Irish-run spot is an off-

A modern hotel in the heart of Warsaw Welcome to Warsaw’s newly emerging business district. Crowne Plaza@ Warsaw - The HUB hotel offers modern accommodation, award - winning conference space and superb food and beverage services. Join IHG@ One Rewards and get instant access to benefits and exclusive Loyalty Member deals at 6000 destinations globally. cpwarsawthehub.com | +48 22 377 37 37 | ihg.com/one

tails, a 12-foot chandelier and a crowd that errs from late 20s upwards. THE PRAGA VIBE

W Oparach Absurdu Ząbkowska 6

Craft beers lurk within the fridge, but for the seminal Absurdu experience order a tray of vodka before bulldozing through the crowds that gather to listen to Balkan rock and Afro-Latin bands. Somewhere, hidden deep beneath the creaking antiques and moth-eaten Persian rugs, you might be lucky to find a woodcarved bar. NORTHERN NIGHTS Havana Słowackiego 16/18

Set on the first floor of a PRL era tower, the super cool interior offers up a coherent display of retro posters, luscious plants and light wood trimmings that are respectful of this space’s former life as a 1960s cafe. Perched among hip freelancers and theatre types learning their lines, sip away on trendy bio wines, adventurous lemonades, craft swigs or specialty coffee sourced from local roasters. UPMARKET CLUBBING Sen Wioślarska 6

Some would say that Sen enjoys its heyday in the summer when the rooftop terrace opens to afford views of the illuminated bridges that span the river. But even outside these months it’s long enjoyed a reputation as Warsaw’s premier super-lux club. High class cocktails and a stringent door policy have helped maintain their name as the principal destination for glam, catwalk excess.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

DESTINATION COFFEE

Café Pląs Puławska 113A (Królikarnia)

Set inside the Króliarnia palace, it’s laidback and artsy-cool, something aided by the strategically placed plants, chillout beats and rare-find art books placed reverentially on the shelves. Specialty coffee, bio wines, alternative soft drinks and craft beer make it a highly versatile place to finish in after a brisk autumn walk around the palace grounds. COFFEE OF LEGEND Stor Tamka 33 / Bracka 18

For many there is no better café anywhere in Poland than Stor’s original on Tamka. When the sunlight slopes in through the window, there are few finer feelings than idling away in this plant festooned refuge. Famed for their glorious coffee and detail-driven approach, recognition should also be handed to their devotion to local causes and zero waste philosophy. FOR VINYL CHILLOUT Hałas Elsterska 10

Divide Hałas into two sections: first, a small chamber selling collectors classic vinyl and coffee sourced from some of Europe’s top roasters. Then, smuggled in the back, discover a Nordic-style living room arrangement that encourages afternoons spent sipping coffee whilst catching up on email. FOR QUICK ESPRESSO Błysk Słowackiego 22

Served over a PRL era counter, Błysk’s super-tight confines generate a natural air of familiarity. Often standing room only, the buzz and hubbub owes itself not just to the delicious

espresso shots, but also the homemade cookies and dog-loving owners that will spoil your pet. HIDDEN STAR

El Cafatero Marszałkowska 27/35

Tucked behind the patinated domes and intricate steeples of Zbawiciela, chilling in this little café has you thinking you’re somewhere cute and quaint like Vilnius or Lublin. Specialising in roasting their own African coffees, the super-hip vibe is highlighted by the wall of Polaroid snaps. CHAMPION BREWS Forum Elektoralna 11

Forum has it all: a fashionably frayed interior, a friendly dog nuzzling around (hi Apollo!), and a client base that expects nothing but the best – and at Forum, that’s exactly what they get. Marketing themselves as “the home of the Polish Aeropress and Polish Brewers’ Cup Champions”, these accolades say everything there is to know. NEIGHBORHOOD FAV Ciacho al. Niepodległości 80

In Mokotów, Ciacho stands apart as a true neighborhood institution — a bakery and breakfast spot that quietly draws locals back year-round. Hidden near Jordanowski Park, it shifts with the seasons: a lively family terrace in summer, a warm, oven-scented refuge in winter. Breakfast is the anchor, from creamy scrambled eggs on house sourdough to a cult-favourite kimchi brioche. Add excellent pastries and breads to take home, and Ciacho reveals itself as something rarer than a café: a steady, glowing hearth.

Dine &

Delight When only the best will do, we’ve cut through the chaff to present a curated choice of Warsaw’s top eateries – from ethnic comfort foods and under-the-radar gems all the way up to the city’s most exclusive dining rooms…

INSIDER FAVORITE

THE MICHELIN STAR Nuta pl. Trzech Krzyży 10/14

Andrea Camastra’s restaurant is a magical enclave in which time stands still. Mixing his famed scientific techniques with artisanal processes, his tasting menu is expressive in its aesthetics and flavour, as if it were an extension of his own firecracker character. Even the cheeseboard is a mind-bender – on our April visit, jaws hit the floor as this arrived in the liquified form of a pear consommé topped with warm gorgonzola foam. A bold, world-class adventure, no other restaurant offers such a ride – a second Michelin star seems guaranteed. FORMAL & EXTRAORDINARY Epoka Ossolińskich 3

Nineteenth century cornices and baroque drapes lend an enveloping sense of luxury to this A-Class space. Epoka’s menu is based on Polish cookbooks from different epochs, with the dishes reconstructed in a way that’s innovative, unexpected and a roller coaster of thrills. La Liste officially rank it among the world’s Top 100 Restaurants. EXQUISITE

Dziurka od Klucza PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Fort Służew 1b (Służew), dziurkaodklucza.eu

Dziurka od Klucza is a restaurant driven by flavour, confidence and a refusal to play it safe. The menu moves effortlessly between plant-forward highlights, like a deeply expressive tomato tartare, and richer plates such as scallops in truffle sauce with squid ink pasta that feel almost emotional in their depth. There’s playfulness too — Neapolitan pizza with chorizo and shrimp, forest-leaning mushroom soup, and impeccably balanced Negronis. Dessert lands boldly with a white-chocolate sernik and passion fruit. This is cooking with personality, intent and zero compromise.

Nolita Wilcza 46

Winning our 2022 award last year for ‘Outstanding Achievement’, chef Jacek Grochowina’s enclave of class looks dashing with its monochrome colours and muted gunmetal shades, but it’s the food that has made it the place Warsaw heads to live the life of the 1%. Treasuring detail and finesse, Nolita demonstrates fine dining hasn’t died. warsawinsider.pl

Dine & Delight ECLECTIC & UPMARKET

FOR THE TASTING MENU

DATE NIGHT

Subtle and stylish with its muted, neutral colours and pops of art, amid the light woods and sky-coloured walls, the assembled fine wines have been selected to dance in tandem with the cooking of Rafał Hreczaniuk. His cooking is elegant, eclectic and never short on sensational taste.

Fusing upmarket, casual styling with an exciting wine list, interactive service and the kind of atmosphere you can’t get enough of, Rozbrat 20 is a Warsaw gastro landmark. Under chef Bartosz Szymczak, the frequently changing menu has a real playful inventiveness to it.

Regularly adjusted to utilize the best items the season has to offer, the menu is a triumph of expertly balanced tastes and is admired for some of the most interesting cooking in the city – think elegant with a localized twist. Rounding out the experience is an intimate, labyrinthine design that’s ideal for when it’s cold and grim, and a decked courtyard terrace for when it’s not.

Dyletanci Koszykowa 47

Rozbrat 20 Rozbrat 20

alewino Mokotowska 48

NEW WAVE

hub.praga Jagiellońska 22/LU1

CREATIVE KITCHEN

Heading the kitchen is Witek Iwański, a chef whose past accolades include our very own ‘Top Talent’ title at our Best of Warsaw awards. The tan, beige and white interior is embellished with moon-shaped mirrors and statement art, and is twinned with tiny a’la carte courses that appear like miniaturised works of art. CASUAL SCENE Bibenda Nowogrodzka 10

Misaki Kawasaki

Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 43B/3rd floor (Powiśle)

Misaki Kawasaki is a restaurant shaped by its chef’s travels and unmistakable sense of joy. Paula Mycka’s cooking moves confidently across continents, blending Japanese precision, Thai vibrancy, Middle Eastern depth and Peruvian playfulness. The menu shines with expressive vegetarian dishes, scallops in brown butter with shiso and Thai basil, a decadent Wagyu Katsu Sando, and the unforgettable toro tartare on a sesame waffle with yuzu crème fraîche. Polished yet playful, it’s cooking that tells stories while never losing sight of pleasure.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

With no reservations accepted, Bibenda’s enduring popularity ensures that queues often build at the entrance – even at the height of the Polish winter. Augmenting the warm interiors of raw red brick and dim yellow lighting, guests flock for a menu that celebrates the fields, forests and farmsteads of Poland. honey and peanut chili crisps. THE NEED TO KNOW The Eatery Koszykowa 49A

This attractive off-street space comes swathed in

white-on-white colours – blissfully cocooned from the outside world, and decorated orb-like installations, this chic but casual space gives Polish food a modernised translation. Visiting for our May issue, we were bowled over by the pork cheeks served with a punchy demi-glace and whirls of liquified peas and red cabbage. NEW POLISH Źródło Targowa 81

Hardwood floors, exposed pipes and a flurry of plants equip an open area decorated with blasts of contemporary art, recycled furnishings and extravagant light installations. Menu-wise, the food lights the soul. But more than just celebrating the power of local produce, there’s a refinement at play that speaks of a kitchen team that aims for magnificence.

including an old school schabowy the size of a small planet. POLAND FOR INSIDERS

Oma Radna 13

Stepping into Oma is like entering Babcia’s house for a holiday—a warm embrace of Polish tradition with a modern flair. Oma, named after the chef’s grandmother, exudes

Oma-goodness. Nestled in Powiśle, it charms with its vintage Polish decor and fresh flowers. The menu offers classic dishes with a twist: schabowy topped with Parmesan and zupa pomidorowa with garlic. Desserts like knedelki—a cottage cheese dumpling with apples and orange peel—are irresistible. The thoughtful vintage design and caricatures of Oma on the

Nova Wola

POLAND REIMAGINED Bez Gwiazdek Wiślana 8

Regarded as one of Warsaw’s gastronomic treasures, each month sees Robert Trzópek design a tasting menu inspired by a specific region of Poland. His creative interpretations of the nation’s culinary traditions are delicate, nuanced and beautifully balanced. The chic but casual setting reflects the philosophy. TRENDING POLISH Pod Gigantami al. Ujazdowskie 24

Once seen as a classic restaurant for ‘old people’, Pod Gigantami’s reinvention stretches to 3 a.m. finishes come the weekend. Marrying heritage with hip, during more normal hours enjoy thoughtfully cooked Polish classics

AUTHENTIC POLISH CUISINE Rondo Daszyńskiego 2 , Warsaw +48 22 377 38 01 novawola@ihg.com novawola.com

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Dine & Delight servers’ shirts add a personal touch. Make a reservation to avoid heartbreak, as Oma’s popularity often leads to a full house. Dive into this cozy haven and savor the best of Polish summer cuisine, where every bite feels like a warm hug from Babcia herself. NEIGHBOURHOOD GREEK Mr. Greek Souvlaki Londyńska 16

Festooned with potted shrubs, the outdoor wooden deck is one of Saska’s finest outdoor check-ins. If that’s packed – and it often is – head inside where an atmosphere of gentle chaos reigns in the noisy open kitchen. Eschewing warmth and authenticity, the atmosphere fits well with the meaty skewers.

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

SOUTH AMERICAN FLAIR

tail and the best-selling chili con tuna. It’s an ecstasy of tastes.

With Argentine chef Martin Gimenez Castro injecting his passion and personality into the venue, this is an address that punches through the greyness of everyday Warsaw. Ceviche is naturally the default order, and here it’s served in around five different forms.

CITY CENTRE VEGAN

Ceviche Bar Twarda 4

Tuna Elektryczna 2

Resembling the scales of a fish, Tuna’s core decorative element are 18,000 tuna cans that sheathe the walls. Smartly appointed in dark metallic colours, visit for an exhilarating menu that includes salmon jerky, tuna sausages, an elaborately reconstructed dorada

Peaches Gastro Girls Stalowa 36

Peaches, Warsaw's vibrant vegan hotspot, serves up seasonal dishes with finesse. From their umami-packed grilled mushrooms to inventive cocktails, every bite and sip delights. The minimalist interiors and open kitchen make it an experience for both eyes and palate. VEGAN NOODLES

Vegan Ramen Shop Finlandzka 12 / Jana Pawła II 52/54 / Narabutta 43

Dubbed by some as “the best noodles in the world!” They’re definitely memorable, and the spicy miso ramen will for sure make new true believers.

COMMUNIT Y HUBS & FOOD HALLS FABRYKA NORBLINA

Żelazna 51/53, fabrykanorblina.pl Representing 200-years of history, the two hectare site is riddled with over 50 leftovers from the Industrial Revolution and these are set against attractions such as the luxury Kinogram cinema (champagne vending machines!), the immersive Art Box Experience, a factory museum and the Smart Kids Planet – a 1,600 sq/m project with nine zones that aim to promote logical thinking, healthy eating, motor functions, perception and creative thinking.

CENTRUM PRASKIE KONESER Plac Konesera 8, koneser.eu

Reopened in 2018 as a mixed-use project containing cultural sites, F&B outlets, A Class offices and loft-style apartments, no other investment has had a bigger impact on Praga’s overdue regeneration than Koneser. Culturally, it’s also done much thanks to the Polish Vodka Museum, the Museum of Fantastic Art and temporary exhibitions such as Banksy in 2021. For most though, the F&B lineup is the strongest attraction of all and this includes upmarket Indian from Bombaj Malasa, the casual eatery Spółdzielnia and the real feather in the cap, the Koneser Grill – a meat-centric venue of high sophistication.

BROWARY WARSZAWSKIE

Grzybowska 58, browarywarszawskie.com.pl Utilising elements of a historic brewery and setting them against an upmarket backdrop of freshly mapped streets and immaculate new build that feels contextually suited to the district, Features include a premium food hall, Robert Lewandowski’s Nine’s sports bar, the ever-popular Balkan eatery Munja, and Baila – a stunning live entertainment emporium.

HALA KOSZYKI

Koszykowa 63, koszyki.com Considered the grande dame of food halls, the brick and wrought iron interiors of this spot look beautiful with the F&B offer split between standalone restaurants such as the fancy Warszawski Sen to vendors like the fist-bumping, burrito boys at Gringo. For craft beer and grilled sausages then Kiełba w Gębie doesn't put a foot wrong, whilst the open-all-hours ĆMA is a legend in its own lifetime.

ELEKTROWNIA POWIŚLE

Dobra 42, elektrowniapowisle.com Elektrownia’s blended approach includes an exclusive top floor beauty hall filled with cutting edge beauty solutions and a retail offer than tends to shirk the mainstream to instead slant in on contemporary Polish design, upscale vintage, niche brands and established local talent. The food and drink has also been a major plus, with most attention going to a food hall that appears in an energetic sea of neon.

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Dreams Once Shared A new exhibition at Zachęta revisits Cold War–era artistic alliances to ask what solidarity means today

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achęta’s latest exhibition looks backward in order to think clearly about the present. What Are Our Collective Dreams? Global Connections — Abandoned Friendships delves into the gallery’s own archives, tracing a moment when art was mobilised as a tool of international solidarity—however complicated that promise may have been. During the Polish People’s Republic, Zachęta operated as the Central Bureau of Art

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

Exhibitions (CBWA), a cultural outlier within the Eastern Bloc. Through ambitious exhibition exchanges, it brought work from beyond the Iron Curtain to Polish audiences, forging particularly strong links with artists and institutions in the Global South. Soviet rhetoric framed this as the “friendship of peoples”; the reality, as the exhibition shows, was layered with idealism, politics, and contradiction. Curated by Taras Gembik, Joanna Kordjak and Antonina Stebur, the show pairs archival materials—catalogues, photographs and forgotten documentation—with newly commissioned works by artists including Minerva Cuevas, Ibrahim Mahama, Ahmet Öğüt and Alicja Rogalska. Together, they test past visions of unity against today’s fractured world, shaped by migration, war and rising xenophobia. The result is less nostalgia than a pointed question: what, if anything, of those collective dreams can still be reclaimed?

What: What Are Our Collective Dreams? Global Connections — Abandoned Friendships Where: Zachęta — National Gallery of Art Curators: Taras Gembik, Joanna Kordjak, Antonina Stebur Focus: Archival CBWA exhibitions and contemporary responses Why Go: A rare, self-critical look at how art once imagined global solidarity—and what that legacy means now.

PHOTOGRAPHS THIS PAGE BY KEVIN DEMARIA, OPPOSITE PAGE PRESS MATERIAL

CULTURE

Poland’s pavilion listens differently

At the 2026 Venice Biennale, Liquid Tongues explores deaf culture, sound, and more-thanhuman forms of communication

or the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, the Polish Pavilion proposes a shift in attention—from what dominates the conversation to what usually escapes it. Liquid Tongues, created by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski, is an immersive installation that treats listening as a political and

poetic act. Developed with the mixed Deaf and hearing ensemble Choir in Motion, the project moves fluidly between video, sound, sign language and choreography. Whale songs, interpreted through spoken English and International Sign, become a starting point for reflecting on loss, survival and the rebuilding of threatened cultures—human

and non-human alike. Kotowski’s long-standing engagement with Deaf experience is central here, framing deafness not as limitation but as a distinct cultural lens, while Burska’s visual language gives the pavilion its atmospheric intensity. Curated by Ewa Chomicka and Jolanta Woszczenko, Liquid Tongues resonates with Biennale curator Koyo Kouoh’s invitation to engage with quieter registers and neglected narratives. Rather than offering a single message, the Polish Pavilion opens a space for resonance, translation and shared vulnerability.

Where: Polish Pavilion, Venice When: May 9 – November 22, 2026 (Pre-opening: May 6–8) Exhibition: Liquid Tongues Artists: Bogna Burska, Daniel Kotowski (with Choir in Motion) Curators: Ewa Chomicka, Jolanta Woszczenko Producer: Zachęta — National Gallery of Art

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CULTURE

Global Improvisation

hen we talk about exporting Polish jazz, we usually point to standout artists, individual tours, or appearances at prestigious festivals. The Around the World project by the JAZZ PO POLSKU Foundation operates on an entirely different scale. Long-term, grassroots,

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

and quietly ambitious, it has grown into the most expansive international promotion of Polish jazz in years. Launched in May 2023, Around the World took the form of a rolling global tour, sending Polish musicians far beyond the usual concert circuits. In just two and a half years, the project has encompassed more than 230 events across 23 countries,

involving 85 artists and spanning four continents—Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. Crucially, many of these concerts took place in regions where Polish jazz had rarely, if ever, been heard before: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Uzbekistan. Yet the numbers only hint at the project’s real significance. Around the World is less a tour than a living network—one

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JAZZ PO POLSKU

Polish jazz’s boldest cultural export

built on relationships, artistic exchange, and cultural dialogue. It draws on over 15 years of groundwork laid by JAZZ PO POLSKU, which has been introducing Polish jazz to international audiences since its first concerts in Copenhagen in 2012. This is cultural diplomacy in its purest form: patient, human, and deeply rooted in trust. At the center of it all is Jakub Krzeszowski, founder of JAZZ PO POLSKU and the project’s driving force. A cultural manager, curator, and producer, Krzeszowski personally attended most of the concerts, acting not just as an organizer but as a constant presence—moderating workshops, facilitating conversations, and connecting local scenes with visiting artists. “This isn’t a project that can be managed from behind a desk,” he says. “You have to be on the road, reacting to what’s happening, and trusting the people and places you visit.” The project takes symbolic inspiration from Paweł Edmund Strzelecki, the 19th-century Polish explorer who circumnavigated the globe driven by curiosity rather than conquest. For Krzeszowski, the parallel with jazz is obvious. “It’s about openness, attentiveness, and a willingness to encounter the other,” he notes—qualities that define both improvisation and meaningful travel. This year’s edition focuses on Asia, marking a culmination of more than a decade of JAZZ PO POLSKU activity in the region. Since 2014, Polish musicians have steadily built a presence in countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and across

“It is also a story about the art of improvisation, friendship, and the never-ending journey...” Southeast Asia—now returning not as novelties, but as respected collaborators. Workshops remain a cornerstone of the project, guided by the belief that jazz is a universal language. Joint improvisations and spontaneous international ensembles regularly dissolve linguistic and cultural barriers, proving that communication doesn’t always need words. What emerges is a potent blend of independent culture, Polish artistic identity, and the lived experience of travel. From prestigious concert halls to small clubs far from the mainstream map, Around the World shows Polish jazz not as an export product—but as a living, breathing conversation with the world.

JAZZ PO POLSKU "Around the World," directed by

Maciej Głowiński, is a musical documentary that follows the adventures of young Polish jazz musicians performing in the most remote corners of the world. It is also a story about the art of improvisation, friendship, and the never-ending journey that constantly accompanies the film's protagonists. In less than three years, the Polish artists visited 23 countries and played over 200 concerts on four continents. The film presents music as a universal language of communication, one that unites people and transcends all divisions.

SCAN TO WATCH THE VIDEO warsawinsider.pl

preschools

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW

Students aged 3-5 are encouraged to try new things, ask questions, and take risks in a nurturing environment in which they learn life skills alongside academics. Following the Primary Years Programme (PYP), our young students become caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. Contact admissions@ aswarsaw.org

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

BRITISH PRIMARY

SCHOOL OF WILANOW

A values-driven school offering a world-class education based on the best of British Education. BSW is the first school in Poland to be accredited as Compliant by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). Based in a purpose built premises in Wilanow BSW is accepting applications from Nursery to Year 9. Please email

admissions@bswilanow.org to organise a visit.

THE BRITISH SCHOOL WARSAW – EARLY YEARS CENTRE

Our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a play-based learning curriculum full of curiosity, wonder and discovery – the perfect springboard into Primary education. ul. Dąbrowskiego 84, tel. 22 646 77 77, thebritishschool.pl

A confident first step into the world

A kindergarten where learning, movement, language, and curiosity grow together—every single day.

t Kindergarten Number One (Przedszkole Numer Jeden), we strive to provide children with the best conditions for effective learning and safe play. We actively participate in cultural events in our area, and our small groups are under the constant supervision of two teachers, including a lead teacher and an English-speaking teacher. Every month, we organize at least one excursion and a visit from an interesting guest. We also offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports, gymnastics, judo, dance, horseback riding, swimming, and skiing. All activities are led by experienced instructors who work closely with children, helping them develop all their passions and interests. We invite you to join us. Recruitment is ongoing.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PRZEDSZKOLE NUMER JEDEN

Przedszkole Numer Jeden ul. Aleja Rzeczypospolitej 31/Au1 przedszkolenumerjeden.pl tel. 780 116 115

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BSW DL flyer_PR.pdf

EDUCATION THE CANADIAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW PRESCHOOL

Ignacego Krasickiego 53, tel. 697 979 100, canadian-school.pl

With three green and harmonious locations in Mokotów and Izabelin. The school in Izabelin is set in the quiet of the Kampinos Forest just outside the city. Teachers are fully trained in early-childhood education in English according to the Montessori philosophy. Registration open to children 12 months to 6 years of age. ul. Badowska 19, ul. Tatrzańska 5a (Mokotów), ul. Szkolna 16, (Izabelin), tel. 692 099 134, wmf.edu.pl

CMY

World-class, values-based education K

Values based Education, Nursery to Year 9 admissions@bswilanow.org ul. Hlonda 12 | Warsaw

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14:07

preschools CASA DEI BAMBINI & TODDLER SCHOOL

Welcoming students from the ages of 2.5 to 6 years old, currently 45% of their admissions are international students. The dedicated, IB-trained teachers deliver an innovative program (PYP) in English designed for modern world needs. The program offers a combination of Literacy, Maths, Science, Physical Education, Arts & Culture, French and Polish classes. ul.

08/11/2024

bsw.com.pl +48 221 220 062

THE INTERNATIONAL TRILINGUAL SCHOOL OF WARSAW

036 637), ul. Karowa 14/16 (tel. 503 072 119), ul. Królowej Aldony (tel. 533 321 084), office@3languages.pl, itsw.edu.pl

schools AMERICAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW AKADEMEIA HIGH SCHOOL

An academically selective international school in Warsaw, offering iGCSEs and A Levels whilst preparing students for the best universities in the world. The staff body consists of alumni of the world’s best universities, whilst facilities at what has become Poland’s most prestigious school include an art studio, auditorium, sports hall and roof garden. ul. Ledóchowskiej 2, akademeia.edu.pl

With over 50 nationalities, ASW has been welcoming students from around the world since 1953. As an IB Continuum school, our students follow the PYP, MYP and DP throughout their learner journey. Students graduate with either the IB diploma or an American high school diploma. All programs are conducted in English, with integrated EAL support for non-native speakers. Contact: admissions@aswarsaw.org or 22 702 85 00, ul. Warszawska 202 (Konstancin-Jeziorna), aswarsaw. org

BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WILANOW

admissions@bswilanow.org to organise a visit

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EDUCATION warsaw montessori family

Warsaw Montessori Schools accepting applications for our programs and locations: Infant & Toddler

THE ENGLISH PRIMARY THE BRITISH SCHOOL WARSAW

The mission of TBS is to balance academic success with character building and well-being. Students at The British School Warsaw learn an internationally respected curriculum, based on the best of British academics. They take pride in their excellent results at both International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IGCSE level, which are well above the global average. ul. Limanowskiego 15, tel. 22 842 3281, thebritishschool.pl

The English Primary is designed specifically for children in the primary education ages, just as children experience in England but in an international community. Pupils are taken through the key learning stages so that they can achieve to the best of their ability through a fun learning experience. The Core Curriculum subjects include English, Phonics, Science, Mathematics, French, PE and Swimming, Music, Personal, Social and Health Education. ul.

Rzodkiewki 18, tel. 784 037 808, tep.edu.pl

Tatrzańska 5a Badowska 19

Casa dei Bambini Badowska 19 Szkolna 16, Hornówek

Elementary Szwoleżerów 4

"Erdkinder" Middle School Tatrzańska 5a

Montessori High School Pytlasińskiego 13a

Montessori Farm School Białka 155, koło Radzynia Podlaskiego

Contact Office: 692 099 134

office@warsawmontessori.edu.pl

www.wmf.edu.pl 62

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

THE CANADIAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

Located on two campuses in the Mokotów this is the only authorized IB School with PYP programs taught in English and Polish. French is taught as a third language. International staff, cultural events and challenging student initiatives create the perfect learning environment. ul. Bełska 7, tel. 692 411 573 / 885 420 044, secretary@canadian-school.pl or secretary. olimpijska@canadian-school.pl

THE INTERNATIONAL TRILINGUAL SCHOOL OF WARSAW

Established in 1994, offering nursery, primary, and pre-school education with an international curriculum for children aged from one to 15. The full immersion trilingual setting allows for the choice between English, Polish, Spanish or Chinese, French or Japanese. Teachers are highly-qualified native speakers from the US, France, Spain, China and Japan. ul. Nobla 16 (tel. 501 036 637), ul. Karowa 14/16 (tel. 503 072 119), ul. Krolowej Aldony (tel. 533 321 084), office@3languages.pl, itsw.edu.pl

schools JOY PRIMARY SCHOOL

Treating pupils with mutual respect but not at the expense of being demanding, the methods used are hard on the problem but soft on the person. Taking into account what students think, feel, learn and want for themselves and their world, Joy Primary teaches important life skills as well as respect, care for others, problem solving and co-operation. Here, children are challenged to discover their abilities and competences, while encouraged to explore personal strength and autonomy. ul. Syta 131A, tel. 722 305 333, sekretariat@joyprimaryschool.pl

WARSAW MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL

Guided by trained specialists, students are responsible for managing their household, operating small businesses, caring for local flora and fauna as well as domesticated animals, taking charge of the younger children and much more. “Adolescence Program” activities, integrated with academic studies, help students discover their inner strength to meet real life challenges. ul. Tatrzańska 5A (grades 5-8), tel. 604 137 826, wmf.edu.pl

MONNET INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Located in Mokotów, the Monnett is the only school in Poland that implements the International Baccalaureate Program from kindergarten level all the way through to secondary school. The fully-qualified staff are committed to delivering only the highest standards of education. ul. Stępińska 13, tel. 22 852 06 08, maturamiedzynarodowa.pl

WARSAW MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL

Warsaw Montessori High School aims to teach students the values which Maria Montessori outlined in her educational philosophy such as: responsibility for one’s own development, care for others, honesty, empathy, and service. The school continues to meet the principles of Maria Montessori through implementing the IB Diploma Program principles and practices. Warsaw Montessori High School is an authorized IB World School for the Diploma Programme – code 061201. ul. Pytlasińskiego 13A, tel. 787 095 835, wmf.edu.pl

WARSAW MONTESSORI SCHOOL

leader in the field of Montessori education, well-trained teachers guide students to independent and successful learning with both English and bilingual classroom provided. Located just steps from Łazienki Park the school resides in vibrant surroundings near to museums, embassies and natural settings which provide students with learning outside the classroom. ul. Szwoleżerów 4 (grades 0-4), tel. 608 488 420, wmf.edu.pl A

EDUCATE. INSPIRE. GROW.

Promote your school or course in Warsaw Insider – where the city's top learners look first! Email insider@warsawinsider.pl

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OAZA

Where Warsaw once went out to shine

rom the early 1920s, Oaza operated in the tenement at 9 Wierzbowa Street, just steps from Plac Teatralny — a location that placed it at the very heart of Warsaw’s cultural life. It was more than a restaurant. With its American bar, elegant dining rooms and a fashionable dansing, Oaza embodied the ambitions of an interwar capital eager to match Paris and Berlin in style and sophistication. Writers, actors, politicians and night owls gathered here to eat, drink

Warsaw Insider | January 2026

and dance late into the night, swept up in the optimism of a city newly restored to independence. Those were Warsaw’s golden years: modern, confident and outward-looking. Restaurants like Oaza played a vital role in shaping urban life, offering not just food but spectacle, music and a sense of belonging to a wider European rhythm. Going out was an event, and Oaza was one of its brightest stages. The Second World War brought that world to a brutal halt. The area around Plac Teatralny was devastated during the occupation and the Warsaw Uprising, and Oaza — like so much of the city — was destroyed. What vanished was not only a building, but an entire way of life: the rituals, glamour and social energy of pre-war Warsaw nights. Yet history has a way of circling back. Today, Warsaw is once again a city that goes out — dining, dancing and celebrating itself. Fine dining and nightlife are flourishing, creativity is in the air, and the pleasure of being together after dark feels newly cherished. The spirit of Oaza lives on, not in bricks and mortar, but in the city’s renewed appetite for elegance, joy and shared experience.

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